IN-BOX

In-box

June 01, 2008

Wearying of the green

The Magazine's focus on "going green" ("A queen of green," May 4) seemed out of touch with reality. How can someone throw a "green party" at a home that has chemically maintained lawns of weed-free, perfectly mowed grass? Landscaping that most likely contains not a single native plant? How many landscapers arrive each week wielding noisy, carbon-emitting mowers, leaf blowers, edgers, weed whackers and hedge trimmers to create this completely artificial and unsustainable wonderland?

The icing on the cake was for you to tout impregnating the party invitations with seeds so guests could plant them and grow a 4" x 6" patch of wildflowers. This is one of the most absurd "feel-good green" examples I've ever heard of. For a moment, I thought the Magazine had been hijacked by "The Onion." I suspect if you looked harder you might find people who are quite green in a meaningful, real and artful way. And likely have been doing it for years before it became the latest media topic trend.

Jim Root / Barrington

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Maison Stemple

A recent Sidewalks (April 20) particularly touched my heart as director of a historic house museum charged with preserving the legacy of one family so future generations can learn and be inspired by the past.

[Elmhurst's 152-year-old] Stemple house is especially dear to me, as I am an Elmhurst resident, past president of the Elmhurst Historical Society and an Elmhurst alderman. This house is in my ward and I've been privileged to view it for many years.

The challenge of many suburbs is to preserve both these wonderful older houses and their stories, which bring a community to life and help tie what went before to what happens now. The housing boom of the past decade encouraged destruction of these reminders of our history, and Elmhurst lost more than its fair share. Fortunately this house and its story still exist, and I thank you for sharing it.